Get up early to see the beautiful landscape at first sight. Join the cruise’s regular morning Tai Chi class to round out the experience. Following that, a delectable breakfast buffet awaits, or if you choose, breakfast will be delivered directly to your bed.

Arrive in Cai Be, a charming market town known for its Catholic French church and the production of traditional crafts and food items. Cai Be’s once-colossal floating market is shrinking year by year as trade on the water shifts to modern markets. However, you can also see the boat-to-boat trade of local commodities such as fruits and farm products and imagine what this would have been like on a larger scale. Learn about the long-standing trade tradition and how each boat has a special marker to let customers know what items they are selling from your guide.

You’ll cruise down the green canal network by local ferry, admiring the farmers at work in the fields. A visit to a workshop offshore demonstrates the development of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine. Cai Be’s surroundings are densely forested, which contributes to the region’s fame as a producer of coconut candy. When the vessel continues upstream, you should relax or go to the bar to enjoy a real Vietnamese coffee while watching the life on the riverbanks roll by.

In the afternoon, the ship arrives in the Sa Dec region and docks at Binh Thanh Island, one of the largest islands in the huge Mekong tributary. Several groups have established themselves here and make a living by increasing water hyacinths. You just go to one of these untouched regions. Get a thorough understanding of native life by walking around the village. One of the local artisans, for example, walks you through the whole process of making a traditional mat. You should try your hand at weaving. You’ll even visit a local elderly couple who will tell you about their life on the island. They are still able to talk to guests.

When you return to the ship, you can cool off in the pool on the sun deck. As the ship starts sailing to Tan Chau, a fun, slow-paced border town along the Cambodian border with a sizable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer population, your expert guide gives a presentation on life on the Mekong Delta. The cruise docks outside the city and offer views of the riverbanks.

Welcome to Vietnam’s fish sanctuary.

While on land, you’ll be able to see Tan Chau’s lively town life as you board a “xelois,” which are local vehicles that are still used as taxis in this region. While experiencing the laid-back vibe of this city, your personal “xeloi” driver slowly navigates through the streets to observe all the workshops, apartments, and shops. You’ll make a stop by one of the town’s temples at the colorful local market. This is an excellent chance to meet with the traders of this welcoming town and try your hand at negotiating.

On local boats and go to a floating fish farm to see what Tan Chau is renowned for. You are about to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s biggest freshwater aquaculture industry. Each floating structure has netting dangling into the water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed on a regular basis. Tilapia and the Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which is native to the Mekong River basin and is quickly gaining prominence on the international seafood market, are the region’s specialties.

Returning to your “house,” the cruise heads for the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Prepare for an exciting and relaxing cruise through the deep Cambodian countryside towards Phnom Penh.

You have the whole day to yourself. From here, also the last passenger switches to cruise mode, hoping to feel the soothing effects of this mighty river. The afternoon is ideal for massages, sunbathing on a terrace deck, or relaxing on a private balcony. Cast a spell that will allow you to blend with the river and float away in a state of mild bliss.

You can also go to the bridge because the captain still has a tale to tell about “his” river. Alternatively, if you want to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, you should attend a culinary workshop to hone your skills in the local cuisine.

After some more cruise time back aboard, the boat arrives and docks at Phnom Penh’s pier. After dinner, feel free to go out and experiment on your own. Stroll down the river promenade and observe the locals chit-chatting, selling trinkets, or have a beer in one of the several pubs.

Welcome to Phnom Penh – the city once named Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.

Before disembarking, enjoy your last breakfast onboard your floating house. We hope you have as much fun as the crew did on this fascinating river cruise. Take the enchanting memories and friendships with you, and share the tales of this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.